i'd go up to a bouncer if there was one or maybe bar staff, i'd not confron the man unless i was with a big group of people and he was alone. what did you do anyway?

This reminds me of an incident many years ago, when my sister's handbag was stolen in a pub. I immediately ran out and caught up with the guy who almost certainly did it, but he fobbed me off with a story about actually being an off-duty policeman (you had to be there). I was still determined enough to actually frisk him (albeit lightly, ew!), which was probably a dumb/dangerous thing to do, especially since he'd undoubtedly already thrown away the bag if he was the felon, as I think he was. The lesson I guess is don't chase someone by yourself.

Anyhoo, in your case, I'd have checked the friend's bag, first.

I would simply turn around and say.
"Excuse me, i think you have my purse."

If he didnt give it back I would tell him he was seen taking it and call the bouncer's to restrain him and call the police.

OK, probably wouldnt work out that way, and i's be scared whitless confronting him. But i would anyway 'cos it's the right thing to do.

Incedently, if i saw him taking someone elses i'd confront him, not tell the person he took it from, thats putting responsibility onto someone else when it was you who witnessed it.

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by Incandenza
I was in a bar in Soho last night with a friend.

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Soho eh? *nudge nudge say no more*

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by Incandenza

We were told by a stranger that the man behind us had just reached into my friend's bag and stolen her purse.

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Of course that's also a great way to shift suspicion onto someone else. While you (or more than likely get someone else to) check out the other guy who 'stole' the purse, off waltzes the thief somewhat richer.

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by Red
(quotes)
Of course that's also a great way to shift suspicion onto someone else. While you (or more than likely get someone else to) check out the other guy who 'stole' the purse, off waltzes the thief somewhat richer.

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Fortunately, this was real life and not a David Mamet film.

As it happens, the individual identified *had* taken the purse and when I caught up with him outside he returned it with a fairly minimal level of hassle.

However, rationally, it seems a silly thing to have done when you weigh potential risk against the inconvenience of cancelling credit cards and the relatively small sum of money involved.

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by Incandenza
(quotes)


However, rationally, it seems a silly thing to have done when you weigh potential risk against the inconvenience of cancelling credit cards and the relatively small sum of money involved.

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Agreed, but to go with ones natural instinct is well natural. I'm sorry that all too often now people wont help or come to the aid of someone due to fear but that's another story

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by Incandenza
(quotes)

Fortunately, this was real life and not a David Mamet film.

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Quite. Of course my point is still valid. Some people do this for a living.

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by Incandenza
(quotes)

As it happens, the individual identified *had* taken the purse and when I caught up with him outside he returned it with a fairly minimal level of hassle.

However, rationally, it seems a silly thing to have done when you weigh potential risk against the inconvenience of cancelling credit cards and the relatively small sum of money involved.

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Yep, wouldn't try this in America. We have guns here.

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by Diandra
(quotes)

Yep, wouldn't try this in America. We have guns here.

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They frequently do here...